Immunophenotypic analysis of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Flow cytometric cell analysis with fluorescence-labeled antibodies has become a very useful methodology for the immune phenotyping of lymphocytes. The continued evaluation of lymphocyte cell surface antigens has been of value in this respect by providing a clear picture of lymphocyte differentiation steps. Thus it is now possible to precisely identify lymphocytes of abnormal phenotype which may represent malignant cells. Detection of monotypic populations of lymphocytes represents a monoclonal expansion of a lymphocyte subset which is the hallmark of malignancy. In the case of B cell lymphoma, detection of monotypic populations rests on the finding of a monoclonal expansion of a cell type bearing one type of light chain and of heavy chain and/or one of the specific B lymphocyte differentiation antigens. The diagnosis of T cell malignancy is more difficult to establish and a diagnosis of T cell lymphoma rests on the finding of an abnormal phenotype. Thus flow cytometry in combination with histomorphologic examination is a useful technique for the more precise diagnosis of lymphomas and for the establishment of treatment protocols.
La Via
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MF
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
Self
S E
SE
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte